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Issues in Education
The issues related to educational improvement are mired in controversy and emotion. Parents, legislators, academia, the media - all have taken up arms in the battle over our children's education. The result is confusion and contention. People begin looking for someone - or something - to blame. At the same time, they look for the magic solution - the one right answer.
The following material provides information on eight key issues. Both sides of the discussion are presented along with Educational Dividends' viewpoint. You will see that we believe educational improvement is not an either/or issue. It is about And; it is about everyone working together toward a common goal.
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Accountability
(Also called: Outcomes-Based Education)
Making schools responsible for the outcomes regarding
how much and how well students learn.
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View 1:
Children come to the classroom with various strengths and weaknesses, it is unfair to make schools responsible for all students meeting the same set of standards.
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View 2:
Schools and students should be held responsible for achieving a basic academic standard.
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Educational Dividends' View:
Standards do not set a ceiling for achievement; they articulate the minimums. Schools should expect to be responsible for student academic outcomes. Legitimate evaluation tools, based on academic goals, must be developed and proper training and resources provided. Then, schools need to know the consequences for failing to help students meet the academic standards.
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Standards/Assessment
Providing clear direction to schools about skills children should learn in school.
Testing student and school performance based on set standards.
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View 1:
The development of academic standards and coordinated assessments is not appropriate on a federal level; local control is important. There is a disparity, however, in the quality of standards and assessments. Given the disparities, applying consequences for not meeting the standards will only result in lower standards.
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View 2:
Clear academic standards with corresponding assessment tests are essential for school improvement.
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Educational Dividends' View:
The consequences of not learning are far more significant than not passing a test or moving to the next grade level. The school must be held responsible for student learning.
Setting standards is akin to goal setting. Clear, quantifiable goals are the essential first step toward success in any endeavor. Teachers should be trained to use the goal setting process in their classrooms. In the educational arena, this process begins with standards and ends with assessment. Academic standards and assessments should come from outside the schools. The steps in between are the purview of the schools. These include the establishment of student-specific objectives, the development of learning activities and assessments, and the provision of resources to achieve the standards. It is through the successful implementation of these steps that a school will know if their students have met the standards.
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Class Size
Determining the relationship between class sizes and student learning.
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View 1:
Students learn better in smaller classes because of more individualized instruction.
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View 2:
Teachers and the way they teach determine how students learn, not the number of students in the classroom.
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Educational Dividends' View:
Research has shown some positive correlation to improved student learning in classes of 15 or less. However, this is an expensive approach and, with current teacher shortages, has resulted in the employment of lesser qualified teachers. Student learning is more closely linked to the quality of the teachers and their teaching methods. This is where our effort and resources should be directed.
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Business Partnerships
Creating working relationships between schools and businesses.
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View 1:
Businesses will want to market their services to and through students. The classroom is no place for advertisements.
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View 2:
Businesses can offer opportunities to students and schools through funding, experiences and knowledge.
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Educational Dividends' View:
Business is one of education's stakeholders. They should be encouraged to be an educational partner. There are a plethora of outstanding examples of Business-Education partnerships. Each of these positive partnerships is based on shared goals, a realization of shared benefits, integrity, unbiased content, excellent use of resources and accountability. The involvement of business, under these circumstances, provides powerful benefits for all parties.
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Choice
Giving parents the choice of educational settings for their children.
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View 1:
If parents were given the choice of schools, poor schools would lose existing resources. Those schools would not be able to improve and would only attract area students without the resources and/or parental support to choose another school.
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View 2:
School choice provides healthy competition for schools and encourages improvements and, in some cases, specialization. Parents gain a tool for making good educational choices for their children.
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Educational Dividends' View:
Competition can be healthy. The benefits in an academic setting include incentives for schools to specialize, the potential for greater equity and a revitalization of parental involvement. However, we must remember that not all children have the same resources. Therefore, all schools must be held accountable for meeting academic standards. The introduction of competition must not be an opportunity to look away while poor schools continue to fail.
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Professional Development
Requiring teachers to enhance their knowledge and skills.
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View 1:
Teachers have no time in their daily work schedules for professional development. If professional development requirements are to be added to their already full schedules, they should be paid for their time.
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View 2:
Professional development is a requirement in every profession. Teachers are no exception. They should be expected to keep up with the changes in teaching techniques and continue to enhance their knowledge.
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Educational Dividends' View:
Educators are ultimately responsible for student learning. Therefore, an emphasis on the continuous improvement of their skills and knowledge is necessary.
Any discussion about professional development ultimately leads to the overarching topic of professionalism. Educators have rights and responsibilities regarding their status as professionals. They should be provided equitable pay, adequate resources and office hours just like other professionals. In return, we have a right to expect that they maintain a professional image, begin their career with a high level of skill and knowledge, engage in continuing professional development activities and be accountable for their work.
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Technology
Using technology in the classroom.
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View 1:
Technology does not significantly improve learning in the classroom. Students still need core knowledge and skills.
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View 2:
Technology can bring new experiences and information into every classroom to engage and enhance student learning.
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Educational Dividends' View:
Educational Dividends' view is very close to that expressed in View 2. Technology is a powerful tool with the potential to provide resources, experiences and enhanced learning to all of our classrooms. However, View 2 does not tell the whole story. Technology is only effective in the hands of skilled teachers who know how to use it to meet the learning needs of their students. Therefore, teacher training; the implementation of high quality, technology-integrated curriculum, and equitable distribution of technology tools should be our focus.
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Parent Involvement
Involving parents in the education and schooling of their children.
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View 1:
Teachers are professionals and know what is best for students. It is important for parents to support teachers by helping children with their homework and reinforcing the value of education.
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View 2:
Parents are an integral element in their children's education. It is important that they monitor their progress, consult with teachers on the best way to work with their child and become involved in their school.
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Educational Dividends' View:
Parents are an integral element in their children's education. It is important for parents to work with teachers and the school to see that their child is learning to the best of his or her ability. Building a relationship based on this shared goal, can prevent conflicts over single issues - such as a test score or grade - and will allow both the parent and the school to be concerned with true learning.
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